I use my bike for fitness but also have determined that I do not care to wear a kit. A lot of times I may stop at a store etc. and prefer just mountain bike shorts and a T shirt. I have tried the activewear T shirts from Target and others. They are low cost but I find they are not cut for cycling especially if you are tall. Most of the activewear T shirts made for mountain biking are expensive and are in neutral tones so they are not good for on the road. I recently came across some wicking activewear T shirts a Cabelas that are well made in bright colors. Plus they come in tall sizes (these are long enough for cycling) and they do not charge extra the large sizes. Speaking of large sizes, if you need it they come in super size. They are on sale this week if you are interested. I hope they sell a lot of them so they keep them in stock because they work great for cycling.

PS- I have no connection to Cabelas, just like the shirt and thought others would like to know.

The frugal in me makes me look for clothes I can use for multiple purposes. Wicking shirts are great for workng out, riding to work, hiking, and snowboarding base layer. I wear some of my snowboarding clothes for bicycling because they're thick enough to keep me warm and breathable enough for me to stay somewhat dry.

One thing I watch out for are seams along the top of the shoulders because they can end up chafing especially if you're carrying a backpack or hydration pack.

Buy some of these, I have a few of the long sleeve shirts and I wear them for many many different things. I'm into backpacking so I wear them for that mostly. Great baselayer for wintertime as well. Cheap and most importantly 100% polyester. I know they are not top notch by any means but they are so cheap almost disposable.

The ones at Walmart and Target are a good price but I find they are too short for cycling. It maybe because I am 6'3 but regular Ts do not cover my backside when I lean over (upright hybrid) on the bike.

A while ago I found Merino wool t-shirts. Bliss. A tip from a fellow Forum member led me to chocolatefish.co.uk. Their shirts aren the cheapest around, because they're made in NZ. They also care a lot about where their wool comes from and how it's produced. Very high quality stuff in my experience. I have since retired all my old "technical" t-shirts.

Buy some of these, I have a few of the long sleeve shirts and I wear them for many many different things. I'm into backpacking so I wear them for that mostly. Great baselayer for wintertime as well. Cheap and most importantly 100% polyester. I know they are not top notch by any means but they are so cheap almost disposable.

I bought one of those just last week. Next day I rode my bike from my office to Walmart to take it back. The way the shoulders were cut was VERY weird, like the 3-way seam at the shoulder and sleeves almost stood up in a point. Blech, hated it so I took it back.

I have a long-sleeve tech shirt from Old Navy that fits quite well and is pretty long, which I used earlier in the year for running in colder weather. I would probably use it for biking when it starts to get cool again. I probably need to check at Old Navy to see if they have any short sleeve ones.

I bought one of those just last week. Next day I rode my bike from my office to Walmart to take it back. The way the shoulders were cut was VERY weird, like the 3-way seam at the shoulder and sleeves almost stood up in a point. Blech, hated it so I took it back.

I have a long-sleeve tech shirt from Old Navy that fits quite well and is pretty long, which I used earlier in the year for running in colder weather. I would probably use it for biking when it starts to get cool again. I probably need to check at Old Navy to see if they have any short sleeve ones.

Weird, I have had no such issue. They fit tight enough to wear under my other clothes. Glad you could return it though.

I like them for the elastic waistband and generally tighter fit. I have a couple Target activewear t-shirts but they flap around like crazy in the breeze and you have to worry about them riding up and exposing plumber's crack. I have no problem wearing them on a leisurely ride. The club fit jerseys aren't skin tight like the pros wear. I would check the clearance rack of an LBS for jerseys so you can try them on before buying to see if they fit.

Have to agree about the "kit" look and multi purpose active wear. Also, I try to wear bright colours to visible in traffic. Being short and broad shouldered (44/46 shoulders- 32/33 waist) presents problems with cycling jerseys - if the shoulders fit, it flaps like a flag at the waist & is so long the back catches on the saddle.

I've had good luck with Old Navy "active wear" poly T-shirts (prefer neon green, yellow or orange). For cooler mornings long sleeve poly mesh over the T-shirt. Haven't used "arm-warmers' for cycling, but had something similar years ago for target archery - they were marketed for soccer players.

I like Eastbay's training shirts. I'm 5'8" and the shirts are long enough to not be an issue of rising up for me, though I couldn't speak for someone taller. They seem to be a little bit longer than the C9 shirts I have from Target. Quality is excellent, stretchier than the Nike Dri-Fit shirt I have. Great deal when you buy them in pairs ($12 or 2 for $20) and although I don't think they advertise it, every time I've purchased an Eastbay branded item the order ships for free.

Well I personally can't imagine going on a decent ride without wearing a bike shirt. The pockets in the rear are ideal to carry keys, small first-aid kit, phone, coin purse and snack. The zip at the front allows easy adjusting while ascending and decending, and the shirts are light weight. I'm surprised to read that some have trouble with sizing as my crew here are all shapes and sizes (as are the peleton) and they never have sizing problems.

Personally, I don't care a lot for the jerseys as I never use the pockets - I keep keys/phone/etc in my saddle bag where they won't bother me.
I have this, in the green: http://www.amazon.com/Pearl-Izumi-Je...umi+rev+jersey and I love it because it looks like a jersey, feels like a jersey, but doesn't have the tight squeeze of the elastic cutting off circulation to anything below my waist, or the puffiness of the rear pockets. it's something i can wear into a store or someplace if i need to without feeling like an idiot. only problem is i can't seem to find any more like it.

I'm short, about 5'5", so I have a terrible time finding things that fit me. Apparently everyone in the world who wears a small like me, is still 6'5" because while most clothes fit me through the chest, the length comes down to my mid thighs, it's infuriating.

Well I personally can't imagine going on a decent ride without wearing a bike shirt. The pockets in the rear are ideal to carry keys, small first-aid kit, phone, coin purse and snack.

See, that's way too much for me. It'd feel like I might as well be carrying a backpack. always flopping back and forth, or pulling it down. i also don't like it when things are pressing against me. it's like a nervous tick I have.
also, coin purse? are you from the 30's and parking your bike at a meter?
money clip, dude. holds a $20, your license and a CC and is small and flat.